Want an AR15, what's the best out of box?

Well, I'm going to buy an AR, but with so many names and features out there it's making me dizzy. I have never owned one, but I have fired my buddy's LMT AR15.
I am looking for this gun to be reliable and reasonably accurate. I plan on putting my Nikon red dot sight on it that I currently have on my .357mag.
Not really looking to do long range work with it. I have my long range gun for that. I also am not interested in a really long barrel.
Thanks for the help in advance guys.

Steve
Im kind of in the same boat as you
Im am leaning real hard towards the stag arms 3g
retiredcpo

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely give it a look. Seems like there are a bazillion of those things everywhere. I want to go ahead and get mine in case the prices skyrocket nearing the elections this fall.

I should start by saying there is no best but there is a standard MIL SPEC you will see it claimed but only the compaines below deliver. Pick any rifle from the following companies and you will be good to go for life. LMT, Daniel Defence, Noveske, Colt, BCM, knights armerment.

Any other maker is just a cheep copy and they dont use the same materials or manufacturing standards the goverment calls for in the data package for the M4 or M16 series of rifles.

If you want to build you own any stripped lower thats in spec will do as long as you fill it with a quality lower parts kit (LPK) and top it out with mil spec parts from companies of known quality.

The BCM website has the most options and they sell all the companies I mentioned another good source is G&R tactical Grant the owner is a good guy he has great prices and a lot of great deals like colt rifles under 1k.

You will here a lot of guys say it does not matter and there is no diffrence between a colt and a bushmaster but let me tell you from first hand experience there is a hugh diffrence in quality. Buy once cry once no hobby guns for me. Start with a base model and add parts as you learn to run the weapon. Buy upgrades based on need not looks.

I will make a few suggestions on rifle choice. If your looking at a 16" barrel get a mid length gas system it has a longer dwell time a less recoil impulse. Whats that mean faster more accurate follow up shots. I personaly prefer a 14.5" barrel and a pinned and welded flash supressor it is lighter than the 16" barrel. Additionaly we make body shots at 800M all the time with our issued M4 carbines in the ARMY so the accuracy is there.

Jon, what do u think about RRA? They have the operator series for 1000 that comes pretty loaded. Several shops sell them for around 969.00. I have shot my friends recently and was very impressed. I dont have the experience that you do however. Whats your thoughts?